I think I screwed up (car)

[sfetty (Dave Fetty, CMI)]

@jjonas

http://www.peopleforbikes.org/page/-/blog/bikehomeinspector.png

Jay Marlette started riding a bike for his East Bay, California home inspection service, Houseman, in 2007 to do business in a more environmentally friendly way. He’s easily recognized by the ladder attached to his Xtracycle. His approach is not without its challenges—customers often wonder at first if they’ve hired someone crazy. That fear though is soon replaced by inspiration. Marlette saves money on vehicle maintenance costs and the bike generates other returns: it serves as low-cost, high-visibility marketing that attracts customers who want to do business sustainably.

He isn’t making any sharp turns with that ladder!!

[dcossar (Douglas Cossar, CMI. NHI)]

@sfetty

He isn’t making any sharp turns with that ladder!!

Right turns only :mrgreen:

[Emili_Vazquez]

Hey, I’m also starting out, getting my certification soon. I do have a vehicle though!

[dandersen (David Andersen, TN HI# 40)]

This site has better material than Saturday Night Live!

As Bill said recently, “there are some really stupid people in this world…”

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

@Emili_Vazquez

Hey, I’m also starting out, getting my certification soon. I do have a vehicle though!

Good luck.

[ppatterson (Paul A. Patterson)]

Well! I feel you have good intentions in wanting to work, but you need to know you need a full time job where you can make the money you need to live. Then when you have extra money you can move forward in your training. It takes time and its best if you can work part-time with someone in the home inspection field. To get real in the field training. and don’t feel that your wrong in want your wanting to do. Anyone and everyone has to learn to walk be for they can run. So don’t feel bad for trying. Life goes better when people try and help or guide other people in which way to go. Have a great day and get to work.

[jjonas (Jeffrey Jonas)]

@ppatterson

Well! I feel you have good intentions in wanting to work, but you need to know you need a full time job where you can make the money you need to live. Then when you have extra money you can move forward in your training. It takes time and its best if you can work part-time with someone in the home inspection field. To get real in the field training. and don’t feel that your wrong in want your wanting to do. Anyone and everyone has to learn to walk be for they can run. So don’t feel bad for trying. Life goes better when people try and help or guide other people in which way to go. Have a great day and get to work.

So why did it take you almost seven years to make your first post here?

[bkelly2 (Brian Kelly, AZ Cert. # 60234)]

@jshishilla

Jennifer, Where are you located? California is a tough state to hire someone in. Call some of the local inspectors(if not all) and see what it would take to give you a chance. I have hired people with less and they turned out great. Some still work with me and some I have given vehicles to when they were ready to go on their own.

My assistants get paid while they train. I do make them sign a Non-compete. If you were to work for someone for a few years, learn, grow you could always move up or move-on.

Good advice IMO. Some companies here provide vehicles.

[Adam_Dunin]

@jjonas

So why did it take you almost seven years to make your first post here?

too busy making money?

[cadalian (Chip Adalian, NYS License # 16000067977)]

@jpillowtaylor

I currently work part-time as a janitor and used some of my paycheck to pay for a course in home inspection. I’m going slow, as I do most of the housework right now, but I’m really enjoying the education.

But I think I screwed up by taking the course. I wanted a trade job, as I think they are more interesting and I can’t afford to go back to a university after my bachelor’s degree. I was hoping to get certified and take up an inspection job so I could afford a car (and later move to a cheaper state than California, where I am now.) It looks like I needed a car before I started training, however.

Should I quit now, or keep taking the course?

From reading through the additional posts. It would seem to me that the answer to your question lies within your market.

Are there multi inspector companies in your area?

This can I would suggest that you research this question first.

If there are I would recommend contacting them and discussing your situation. From there I think you’ll be able to determine if continuing down this path is right for you or if it’s time to move on to something else.

From the sounds of it your not afraid to do the work so best of luck to you. Wherever your path may lead you…